Ask the Spike

Snow boots

Glacy Explorer Shortie boot, £110. Really love these.

There’s a strange sociological thing going on in footwear at the moment that is a knock-on effect from when the polar vortex hit New York during fashion week in 2014 – and that is, that snow boots are in.

It doesn’t matter that it doesn’t really get cold enough in this country to really justify them, (or a Canada Goose, really): so many fashion people had to buy them during that fateful February fashion week that they’re still wearing them in order to get that cost-per-wear down.

And that all filters down to us mortals.

Last year I bought myself a pair of UGG Adirondacks, which were on sale, down from £220 to £150 or something. I like them, they are good, although sometimes my toes get unacceptably cold in them. I know! It’s weird – you’d think their main function would be to not let your toes get cold. I wouldn’t buy them again – it possibly explains why they were on sale.

Anyway if you are thinking about investing in snow boots for this year (do not be fooled by the balmy weather at the moment… it is going to get c-c-c-cold) do what I would do if I were buying snow boots with my wits about me, rather than in a panic in late Februrary, and go directly to Sorel.

Sorel boots sell out all the time, because they are good but also because also because they are not insanely expensive. There are still some sizes left on their website. Take advantage of the warmer weather at the moment and buy now before we get a cold snap and everyone wises up and they’re gone forever.

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Comments

I bagged a pair of Sorels from Net a Porter in the sale for £75: felt incredibly smug until they arrived … they were huge!! Widthways, that is. Hoping it was just that particular style as they were good boots and I would try again.

I love the look of these. I really want some proper boots this year. I read this book last winter called the year of living Danishly (it was ok; quite funny. I wanted to find out what it was like in the Lego HQ) and what I liked about it was all the descriptions of stuff they had to wear and what they do when it gets really cold (Hygge!) I’ve been saving The Worst Journey in the World for if it gets properly cold this year (not so Hygge!) Sorry that ended up being more books than boots.

May I offer a tip for those with cold toes and empty wallets? Insoles. Makes a huge difference in any boots – I always have them in my wellies, even in summer. And although I’d be prepared to cough up for them, I can’t actually find ‘expensive’ insoles, so the good news is that even the cheapo pseudo-sheepskin ones from Tesco are well worth trying. I mean, you can’t trek to the North Pole in them with warm tootsies, but what do you expect for £3.50?
NB – I did buy expensive fluffy insoles from Celtic Sheepskin, which are thick and luxurious BUT are very soft leather on the sole and so runkled up every time I put my foot near them. Hopeless. Time to shove them on eBay, I think!

I love these boots please stop it Esther (dont mean it) with your tempting posts! I had to stop myself buying the gorgeous velvet quilt. Luckily it was too small for my bed and luckily I have very narrow feet so thanks Alexandra for saving me from another purchase! Also while Im here I dont read patronising bollocks articles about childcare it will all be alright in the end and women can work if they want to and not if they dont. Isn’t that what feminism is all about??? My sister is in the process of adopting as she cant even have kids and I can tell you THAT IS STRESS and Im just her sister trying to support her X

For once I am ahead of the curve! I have Sorel’s for skiing holidays (and in case of arctic plumes hitting London and now Somerset – I am ready for Day After Tomorrow apocalyptic events). You look like a dick at the airport but they are extremely handy for shuffling around alpine resorts. Plus, because they are so humungoid they make your legs look like sticks, which is nice if you’re feeling fat after Christmas or want to pretend you’re back in your early 20’s and snogging chalet boys with your mates.
Found them true to size and they keep your feet like TOAST.

Snow boots are amazing. They’re MUCH more grippy than most hiking boots and they do tend to make people’s legs look slimmer. The only problem is that I have incredibly high arches and sometimes find it hard to get snow boots on. I really need a zip that goes right down (or close to) the sole. I have had snow boots that you just pull on but those slip around once they’re on, which is quite annoying.

I read 2 newspapers a day and there have been a lot of long-range weather forecasts there saying it’s going to be cold. Plus, there are a lot of berries around at the moment – holly and others – like, a significant amount more than usual and that is another reasonably reliable indicator of a cold winter. Last time there were so many berries was 2010 and we had snow… xxx

When I first moved to Canada it was late autumn and I was really struck by how stylish all the women looked when it turned to winter – and when we talk about winter here we mean proper winter, -20 degrees and snow. The look is: black three-quarter length parka with huge fur trim hood (doesn’t have to be real) and belt to cinch the waist over all those layers, skinny jeans, leg warmers, and Sorel boots also with (faux) fur trim – see the joan of Arctic style on their website. Takes outerwear dressing in arctic climes from unbearable to cute with a side of practical.

Hi. Thank you for the piece on boots. I have been looking for some good warm short boots. I have ordered some from Sorel and they have been delivered today. Thank you again. Love the blog. Valerie Brown x